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TAYLOR Swift reached out in private to the families of the Southport victims before taking to the stage for her first gig since the tragedy.

Swift, 34, appeared overwhelmed by the reaction of the 92,000 people who turned out to watch her perform at Wembley.

Taylor Swift tonight returned to the stage for the first time since the Southport stabbings
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Taylor Swift tonight returned to the stage for the first time since the Southport stabbingsCredit: Getty
She wowed fans with a range of outfit changes
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She wowed fans with a range of outfit changesCredit: Getty
Swift performed in front of 92,000 fans at Wembley tonight
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Swift performed in front of 92,000 fans at Wembley tonightCredit: Getty
Her fans did not miss a chance to see the megastar
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Her fans did not miss a chance to see the megastarCredit: EPA
Swifties on their way to Wembley Stadium for the concert
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Swifties on their way to Wembley Stadium for the concertCredit: AFP

She took a moment to take in the cheers of fans on stage, with insiders saying the three young girls killed in Southport had been in her thoughts.

Three girls were killed and 10 others, including 8 children, were wounded at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class after a 17-year-old boy went on a stabbing rampage.

While Swift did not publicly reference the deaths of Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Alice Aguiar, nine, and Bebe King, six, it is believed she has reached out privately to their families.

A source told The Sun: “Taylor may not have spoken about Elsie Dot, Alice and Bebe on stage but she has reached out to their families.

“It is something that has weighed heavily on her mind.”

Following the murders of the tots at a Taylor Swift themed dance class, the megastar released a heartfelt statement.

She said: “The horror of yesterday’s attack in Southport is washing over me continuously and I’m just completely in shock.

“The loss of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everyone who was there, the families, and first responders. “These were just little kids at a dance class.

“I am at a complete loss for how to ever convey my sympathies to these families.”

Swifties were also left shocked last week when all three Eras Tour concerts at Vienna, Austria's Ernst Happel Stadium were cancelled after police foiled an ISIS terror plot.

Taylor Swift sends fans wild as she welcomes pal Ed Sheeran on stage for surprise duet at Wembley

Hysterical screams were heard ringing around the stadium tonight as Ed Sheeran joined Taylor Swift for the acoustic section of the concert.

He stunned fans as he walked on the stage to join Swift in singing their 2013 hit 'Everything Has Changed' with pals claiming she was buoyed by his support.

A source said: "Ed and Taylor have been friends for well over a decade and are very close.

"He has seen how the last few weeks have impacted her and wanted to be there to support her.

"It meant the world to Taylor to have him there on such a tough night."

Tonight's concert saw the megastar wow ecstatic swifties as she rolled through a medley of her greatest hits in a high octane performance

Taylor takes top spot as she performs in front of adoring fans at Wembley
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Taylor takes top spot as she performs in front of adoring fans at WembleyCredit: Getty
Crowds of Swifties had been queuing for many hours before the concert gates opened
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Crowds of Swifties had been queuing for many hours before the concert gates openedCredit: Alamy
Fans showed their love for the American superstar as they waited outside Wembley stadium
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Fans showed their love for the American superstar as they waited outside Wembley stadiumCredit: EPA
These Swities did their best to make Taylor feel at home ahead of her first concert after a difficult few weeks
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These Swities did their best to make Taylor feel at home ahead of her first concert after a difficult few weeksCredit: EPA
Heavily armed cops were also keeping a high profile in the surrounding area after previous threats against the US megastar
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Heavily armed cops were also keeping a high profile in the surrounding area after previous threats against the US megastar
Security was also highly visible at all entrances to the stadium
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Security was also highly visible at all entrances to the stadiumCredit: PA

She got the show on the road wearing huge peach-coloured feathers as she sung Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.

Taylor will play four more shows in London, which will wrap up the European leg of her Eras World tour.

Following the foiled ISIS plot in Vienna, Taylor and her team have put a ring of steel around the shows.

Metropolitan police presence was ramped up around Wembley Stadium, and fans were asked not to gather outside the event without tickets.

During the incident in Vienna, suspects were reportedly hired to work at the event and had knives, machetes, and the makings for dirty bombs they planned to use to cause destruction.

A man, named as Beran A, has admitted to planning to run over fans outside a stadium in Vienna before launching an attack with knives and a “dirty bomb”.

The 19-year-old had allegedly planned to carry out an attack at the sold-out gig with a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old acting as his accomplices.

During the search of his home, authorities found various substances and tools used for building bombs.

They also found ISIS propaganda, 21,000 euros in counterfeit money, machetes, knives and blank ammunition.

Following the attack in Southport, Axel Rudakubana, 17, was charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.

Read more on the Irish Sun

The Eras Tour kicked off at the beginning of March 2023 and has generated massive income for the star.

It is estimated it could make the Cruel Summer singer $5.7 billion by year-end.

A fan flies the flag for Brit fans outside the stadium ahead of the show
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A fan flies the flag for Brit fans outside the stadium ahead of the showCredit: AP
Pals Sophia Herholdt and Amelie Clows, both 18, look forward to the show
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Pals Sophia Herholdt and Amelie Clows, both 18, look forward to the showCredit: Kevin Dunnett
Bejewelled friends show of their fan bracelets
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Bejewelled friends show of their fan braceletsCredit: PA
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